Dear Friends and Family!
We had another wonderful day in the Lord, Sunday! Beyond the incredible discipleship, worship, prayer, and time in God’s Word, we received an updated testimony from Jennifer and Jesse C. It’s a boy! Praise the Lord! Why, you might ask, do I consider their pregnancy a testimony? Because, the nearly dozen doctors they had been examined by told them it was impossible to get pregnant!
But, Jennifer and Jesse never lost faith and with them we kept praying…why? Because God isn’t limited to the natural or the limits of science or medicine! God is the Great Physician! Our God has ‘super’ natural (greater than the natural created order) power and abilities! So, we celebrate not only that Jennifer is pregnant (which is wonderful), but that God has done a miracle in our midst! Praise the Lord! So, what impossible situation are you facing? With God ALL things are possible!
God’s message this week came from James 2:1-17 and was titled, “Being and Doing.” James, the half-brother of Jesus, speaks in a tone reminiscent of Jesus! For example, James speaks with the same ethical and moral tone Jesus used. And, like Jesus, James spoke against religious hypocrisy. In reading the book of James we discover words of challenge and comfort; encouragement and rebuke, while remaining practical in tone and at the same time teaching profound truth.
In chapter 2:1-17, we see a correlation between being and doing. Christians are not only to be holy; they are to live out their holiness in practical ways! So how should we live out our holiness? First, we are to avoid showing favoritism. James writes, My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism” (James 2:1). What about you? Do you show favorites?
Favoritism is destructive! I’m amazed how wealth, status, age, or skin color changes some of us from being Christ-like, to a selfish, mean, and rude. When we show favorites, we’re not following Jesus teaching! James said in vs. 8-9: “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers” (James 2:8-9). (See Matthew 22:37-39).
Second, holy people are to care for the least, the last, and the lost, too! “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:15-17).
For James, it isn’t enough to just attend church each week, lead a small group or sit on the church board, and never lift a finger to help the poor. Or speak kindly to a homeless lady and wish her well but never do anything to help her financially. James calls this kind of Christianity dead faith. To refuse help to the hurting and poor is to have a selfish faith that isn’t a Christian faith at all!
My prayer is that we’d all wrestle with this text and, with God's help and courage, confess as needed and make the changes necessary to indeed ‘love God and others’. Blessings Pastor Dan!
NEWS AND EVENTS
THIRD THURSDAY CHINESE LUNCH THIS THURSDAY - 19TH
Everyone interested in a good lunch with lots of different food to choose from, meet at Hibachi Grill off Alpine at 11:30 AM for a fun time and wonderful company! Call Tracy T with any questions.
RENUCCHI HOUSE BREAKFAST!
Once again, the ladies, and any men that want to, will be bringing breakfast to be served at Renucchi House. This is a place where family can stay while they support their loved ones at Butterworth Hospital. We will be going September 22. Meet at church at 8 am, car pool downtown, and serve from 9-10 am. This is a wonderful opportunity to be the eyes, ears, and hands for Jesus!
CHURCH WORK DAY – SEPT 29th
Meet at the church at 9 AM and help our church and property look a little bit better. See Larry with any questions. (There may even be doughnuts!)
SCHOOL PAL PAKS
We continue to gather school supplies for children (through the month of September) around the world who cannot afford the basic supplies necessary to go back to school. Our goal is to get 20 paks! If you don’t like to shop, just put a contribution in the offering and mark it “Pal-Pak” or give it to Fran or Sherry. We will be collecting school items through September. These items are needed:
· 2 Composition Notebooks (Mead) no larger than 9-3/4 x 7-1/2 (not spiral bound); 1 package of #2 pencils (10-12 pencils); 1 package of black pens (10-12 pens); 2 pink erasers, 2-3 inches long; 2 rulers (6” or 12” with metric measurements); 1 package of colored pencils (12-15); 1 pair blunt-nosed scissors; 1 hand-held pencil sharpener
WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER THIS WEEK
Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:15 pm(before Bible study). Volunteers are needed to make main dishes, side dishes, or desserts. Please contact Cherry with any questions.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON BIKE RIDES ANYONE?
Some take a ‘Nazarene Nap’ Sun. afternoon; others ride their bikes and enjoy the fresh air, exercise, and each other’s company! Just grab a quick lunch and nap and join us in Belmont for a relaxing Sunday afternoon bike ride! Nobody will get left behind! We will have a lot of fun! This is a great family event to invite a friend to, too! Need a bike or a tune up on your old bike? We can help! Just let Pastor Dan know if you’re interested! He’s got all the tools needed for minor repairs, too!
Where: From Rogue River Park in Belmont to Rockford on the paved White Pine Trail (9 miles). Rogue River Park is located at 6300 Belmont Ave NE – Belmont, MI 49306
BOOTH PERSON STILL NEEDED:
The church is looking for someone who is interested in being a sound booth technician. You will need to be able to attend music practices Sunday morning at 9 AM. Let Janie know if you are interested at 616-204-2499 or hathjan@icloud.com.
GATHER BOX TOPS FOR NAZARENE INDIAN MISSIONS!
Thank you for collecting General Mills box tops! This program has provided PA equipment, computers, and even a 15-passenger van for the Native American Christian Academy. Questions and box tops should go to Fran S. or Sherry J.
CHURCH POSTCARDS ARE AVAILABLE!
Is there someone missing or would like to invite to church? Why not grab a few church postcards and send them out? A simple hand written note blesses everyone! You will find them on the table under the missionary bulletin board in the Annex.
DAILY DEVOTIONS – “REFLECTING GOD” IS AVAILABLE! FREE!!
“Reflecting God” is a daily devotional guide our church makes available free to anyone interested. The devotions provide a brief truth from the Bible every day. Reflecting God also has a section for reading the Bible in a year and praying for our missionaries! Feel free to take one! You’ll find them located on the table outside the sanctuary!
GUIDELINES FOR PRAYER REQUESTS:
Remember, to keep our prayer lists current, we only place requests in the newsletter and bulletin for 3 weeks without an update. If you want to keep your prayer request in the bulletin or newsletter, just keep filling out the tear off tabs and keep us informed!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sept. 23 Sunday afternoon bike rides@ 2:30 PM – Rogue River Park
Sept. 20 Third Thursday Chinese Lunch at Hibachi Grill – 11:30 AM
October 14 Church Potluck after AM service
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